Charter takes issue with DirecTV over ad campaign

Yesterday, Charter Communications filed a lawsuit against DirecTV that accused the satellite provider of engaging in a campaign of deceptive and false advertising.

The lawsuit alleges that DirecTV has been undercutting Charter with direct mail, print, radio and billboards that said Charter may not be able to provide service to its customers after filing for bankruptcy (story here[1]), according to a story in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (story here[2]).

“In particular, DirecTV's advertisements falsely state that Charter will not be able to provide services due to Charter's bankruptcy, and that customers need to be 'saved' by DirecTV from Charter's bankruptcy," Charter said in the lawsuit that was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Charter, the fourth-largest cable operator in the nation that is controlled by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is seeking an injunction against the DirecTV’s advertising campaign and monetary damages.

Charter President and CEO Neil Smit previously said that the company was committed to providing continued triple-play services to its 5.5 million customers while it reorganizes its financial affairs.